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JK Government Strengthens Healthcare System With Large-Scale Recruitment Drive

The Jammu and Kashmir Government has once again reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the healthcare system across the Union Territory by ensuring adequate availability of doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedical staff in government health institutions.

Recognizing that human resources are the backbone of efficient and quality healthcare delivery, the Health and Medical Education Department has initiated a large-scale recruitment process to address staff shortages, particularly in far-flung and under-served areas.

Health Minister’s Statement in Assembly

Replying to a question raised by MLA G A Mir, Health and Medical Education Minister Sakina Itoo emphasized the government’s focus on improving healthcare manpower.

She stated that the government fully acknowledges the importance of having sufficient doctors, specialists, nurses, and paramedical staff for ensuring efficient and effective health services across Jammu and Kashmir.

Posts Referred to PSC and JKSSB

The Minister informed the House that 480 posts of Medical Officers have recently been referred to the J&K Public Service Commission for recruitment. Once the selection process is completed, the selected doctors will be posted in health institutions facing staff shortages, especially in remote and under-served areas, as per existing policies.

In addition, 292 non-gazetted paramedical posts from the Directorate of Family Welfare, Maternity and Child Health (MCH), and Immunization have been referred to the Jammu and Kashmir Services Selection Board. These posts have already been advertised by JKSSB for the selection of eligible candidates.

Further, 290 non-gazetted paramedical vacancies from the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu have also been sent to JKSSB for recruitment. Besides this, 608 additional posts from the Directorate of Health Services, Jammu are in the process of being referred to JKSSB after obtaining concurrence from the Finance Department.

Recruitment in Kashmir Division

The Health Minister also revealed that 802 non-gazetted posts, including MTS and Sanitation Worker vacancies under the Directorate of Health Services, Kashmir, are currently under examination. These posts will be referred to JKSSB once financial approval is granted.

Contractual Recruitment Under NHM

To address immediate manpower shortages, the government is also continuing contractual recruitment under the National Health Mission (NHM). This mechanism helps fill gaps at district and block levels, particularly in remote and difficult areas, ensuring uninterrupted healthcare services.

However, the Minister clarified that recruitment at constituency or district level outside the NHM framework is not feasible, as all public appointments must strictly follow recruitment rules and statutory procedures. Any parallel recruitment system could lead to administrative and legal complications.

She concluded that while regular posts are filled through constitutional recruiting agencies like PSC and JKSSB, temporary shortages are managed through NHM engagements to maintain continuity in healthcare delivery.

FAQs – JK Health Department Recruitment

1. How many Medical Officer posts have been referred to PSC?

A total of 480 Medical Officer posts have been referred to the J&K Public Service Commission for recruitment.

2. Which posts have been referred to JKSSB?

Paramedical, non-gazetted, MTS, and Sanitation Worker posts from various health directorates have been referred or are under process for referral to JKSSB.